Fifth wheel mounting



Dec. 14, 1943.

E. P. KINNE 2,336,939

FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING A Filed sept. 6, 1940 s Asheets-sheet 1 Dec. 14, 1943. E, P, KINNE 2,336,939

FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING Filed Sept. 6, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet?.

1NVENTOR.

Dec. 14, 1943. E. P. KINNE 2,336,939

FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING Filed Sept. 6, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVNTOR. y Fd/mz/Z PKW/ze, @M1

Patented Dec. 14, 1943 UNITED STATES man FIFTH WHEEL MOUNTING Edmund I. Kinne, Alliance, Ohio, assigner to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New Jersey My invention relates to fifth wheel mountings for tractor and trailer combinations and more particularly to a novel form of supporting bracket which is suitable for application to tractor truck frames of different Widths.

My invention contemplates supporting a single fifth Wheel member on standard tractor truck frames of different widths by means of novel supporting brackets each designed to be positioned with respect to the fth wheel member and secured to the associated truck frames in various combinations.

An object of my invention is to design an adjustable bracket for mounting fifth wheels which is of simple construction and conforms with manufacturing requirements.

A specific object of my invention is to design a reversible bracket which affords pivotal mounting for a fifth wheel in a tractor and trailer combination and which is adjustable to accommodate truck frames of varying widths.

A further object of my invention is to design a novel adjustable bracket for pivotally supporting a fth wheel member on truck frames of varying widths wherein the supported load is taken directly by the bracket and the securing pivot pin is substantially relieved of shearing stresses.

Referring to the drawings, Figure 1 is a half top plan View of a fifth wheel mounting embodying my invention, the other half thereof being similarly arranged.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the structure shown in Figure l.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional View of the structure shown in Figure l with the frame member removed, the section being taken substantially in the transverse vertical plane indicated by the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a side elevation showing my novel bracket in greater detail, and Figure 5 is a top plan View thereof.

Figures 6 and '7 are half top plan views of my novel bracket showing two different securing arrangements for mounting a fifth wheel on truck frames of varying widths, the other half of said brackets being similarly arranged, and Figure 6 being an arrangement for a truck frame of minimum width. Figure 7A is a fragmentary sectional view showing the relative positions of the bracket and the .fifth wheel member for the arrangements shown in Figures 6 and '7, the section being taken substantially in the same transverse vertical plane as that of Figure 3.

Figures 8 and 9 are half plan views of my novel bracket showing securing arrangements for mounting a fifth wheel member on truck frames of slightly greater widths, the other half of said bracket notbeing shown inasmuch as it is simi-v larly arranged, and Figure 8A is a fragmentary sectional view taken in substantially the same plane as that of Figure 3 showing the relative positions of the bracket and a fifth wheel member secured as shown in Figures 8 and 9.

Figures 10 and ll are half plan Views of my novel bracket showing securing arrangements for mountinga fifth wheel member on truck frames of still greater-widths, the other half of said bracket not being shown inasmuch as it is simi'- larly arranged, and Figure 10A is a fragmentary sectional view taken in substantially the same plane as that of Figure 3 showing the relative positions of the bracket and a fth wheel member secured as shown in Figures 10 and 11,

Figures 12 and 13 are half plan views of my novel bracket showing securing arrangements for mounting a iifth wheel member on truck frames of maximum1 widths, the other half of said bracket not being shown inasmuch as it is similarly arranged, and Figure 12A is a fragmentary sectional view taken in substantially the same plane as that of Figure 3- showing the relative positions of the bracket and a fifth wheel member secured as shown in Figures l2 and 13.

Describing my novel invention in detail, the fifth wheel generally indicated at 2 comprises a flat fifth wheel plate 4 bifurcated as at 6 to receive an engaging member (not shown) on the trailer for interlocking with the fifth wheel to couple the tractor with the trailer. On each side of the tractor truck frame 8 the fth wheel may be pivctally supported as at l from my novel bracket l2 secured in any convenient manner to saidframe by securing members I4, |11 such as U bolts. A rectangular bearing plate I5' seated on each end of the bracket l2 may be afforded for the securing members I4, I4. Each pivotal connection IQ includes a downwardly projecting bracket I6 (Figure 3) having a longitudinal vertical flange I8 integrally formed with the top chord 2i) of the plate Il. integrally formed with the lower edge of flange I8 and extending therefrom in opposite directions may be an arcuate wall 22 having depending inner and outer spaced lugs 24 and 2B forming therewith a substantially U-section as best seen in Figure 3. A central vertical rib 28 and the longitudinally flaring side ribs Sil, 36 reinforce the bracket it. Lugs 24 and 26 may be formed with relatively thick central sections aifording convenient bearing pads, the

outer bearing pad on lug 26 being enlarged to receive the bolt 32 securing the pivot pin 34.

My novel bracket generally indicated at I2 is shown in detail in Figures 4 and 5 and comprises a relatively long rectangular iiat base plate 36 having spaced vertically upstanding longitudinal ribs or flanges 38 and 40 tapering upwardly from their ends to merge with the central load bearing portion 42. It should be noted that the central bearing portion 42 is oiset from the longitudinal center line of the bracket I2 and the upstanding flange 40 may be flared laterally inward asa t 44, 44 to merge with the bearing portion 42. The central bearing portion 42Vincrludes a substantially semi-circular arcuate wall V48 extending between the Vanges 38 and 40 and having its outer surface in abutment as at 50 with the inner surface on the arcuate wall 22 of the bracket I6. The engaging surfaces on the semi-circular wall 48 of the bracket and the arcuate wall 22 on the fth ,wheel member maybe made smooth to aivord relative Vrotation therebetweenL during coupling. Centrally raised bearing4 pads Yare affordedon each flange 38 and 40 at the central bearing portion 42, and centrally aligned openings 5,2,. 52 in said flanges receive the pivot pin 34. Eachenlarged end 5 4 on said plate may be of unsyrnrnetric formV and of slightly greater width thanthat ofthe plate. Similarly arranged inner sets of slots 56, 56 and notches 58, 58v and 50, 60 may beV formed in oppositev ends 54, 54, said slots 56, 56 being formed adjacent opposite ends f the Yiiange 38. The notches Y53, 58 and 60, 60 may be laterally aligned with the slots 56,56, said notches A58, 58 b eing formed o n the edge of the plate adjacent flange 38, and notches 6.6, 60 being Vformed on the opposite edge of said plate and being spaced fromrsaid slots 56, 56 a greater distance than the notches 58, 58. Outer sets of slots 6,2, 62 and laterally aligned notches 64, 64 and 66, V66 in opposite ends 54, 54 may be diagonally spaced outwardly from the inner setY of slots( 55, 5,6 and notches 58, 58 and 60, 66. Notches 64, 64 may be Yformed on the edge of the Vbracket adjacent notches 66, 60, and notches 66, 6,6 may be formed on the opposite edge of said bracket adjacentl notches 58,58, said notches 66, 66 being spaced a greater distancek from the slot 62 than the notches 64,` 6 4. It may be noted that the spacing ofthe outer and inner sets of slots and notches inAV ends 54, 54 may be along oppositely directed diagonal lines. It will be apparent that the diagonal spacingv of the outer sets of slots andn notchesk with respect to the inner sets of slots and notches will afford numerous combinationsfor conveniently securing my novel bracket in4 various .positions to truck frames of different widths and yet afford a pivotal connection -for a single fifth .wheel member. This may be best understood by a consideration of Figures 6 to 13.' t l Figures7A, 8A, 10A, and 12A show different arrangements ofrmy novel reversible bracket I2 and the bracket I6 on. the fifth wheel member for mounting.. said member on truck frames of different widths, and Figures 6, '7, 8, 9, 10, 11, l2, and 13 show diierentarrangements for securing the, bracketY I2 toirame members for accommodating" the singleflfth wheel member on said truck frames. AInFigure '7A is shown the relativen positions lof thebracket I2 and the bracket I6won theffth wheel member for the accommodation of saidfifth wheel to truck frames of minimum width such Yas A and B; It Vmay be noted that the central-portion of the iiange 4U 75 of the bearing portion 42 abuts as at 68 the inner lug 24 on the bracket I6. Interposed between the flange 38 and the outer lug 26 may be a spacer or filler block 'I0 to substantially eliminate 5 lateral play between the fifth wheel member and the bracket. The pivot pin 34 extends through aligned openings in the brackets I6 and I2 and the spacer 15, and may be secured by the bolt 32 as aforedescribed. The manner of securing 10 the bracket I2 to a truck frame of minimum -V`width A, such as 33 inches, is shown in Figure 6, w wherein each securing bolt I4 is inserted in the outer slot 62 and the aligned notch 66. In Figure 7 a securing arrangement for a truck frame of l5 slightly greater width B, such as 34 inches is v shown, and for this width it may be noted that Y each securing bolt I4 is inserted in the outer slot 62 and the diagonally spaced inner notch 58. f In Figure 8A the bracket I2 is shown applied to truck frames having widths indicated at C and D, such as '33 inches and 34 inches, (Figures 3 and 9). It will be noted that in this arrangement the bracket I'2 has been reversed so that the vertical iiange 33 is in abutment with the lug 24, andthe flange 46 has abutment with the spacer block 16. For securing the bracket to a frame of C width each securing bolt I4 may be inserted in the inner slot 56 and the aligned notch 60, asshown in Figure 8. In Figure 9 a securing arrangement'for a frame of width D is shown, and each securing bolt I4 may be inserted in the inner slot 56 and the notch 64 diagonally spaced therefrom.V

YIt may be noted that'in Figures 7A and 8A which show application of a Yiifth wheel member to truck frames'of widths A to D, the load bearing portion 42 has abutment as at 56 with the inner surfaces of the arcuate wall 22 adjacent ,m lug 24 and the vertical ange'l.

The relative position of my novel bracket with respect to a single fth wheel member supported on truck frame widths E and F, such as 37 inches and38 inches, is shown in Figure 10A, wherein it may be noted that the central load bearing portion 42 has abutment as at I2 with the arcuatewall 22 adjacent lug 26 and outwardly of an'ge I8 on the bracket I6. The vertical flange 38 on the bracket I2 has'abutment as at 14 with the' lug 26 on'the bracket I6, and the spacer block 'I0 is positioned betweenthe flange 46 and the lug 24; For the truck frame width E each securing bolt I4 may be inserted through the slot 62 and the notch 66, and for the truck frame width F each securing bolt I'4 may be inserted through the slot 62 and the diagonally spaced notch'58. f

For truck frame widths G and H, such as 39 inches and 40 inches, the bracket I2 may be reversed from the position shown in Figure 10A so that the flange 4D has abutment with the lug 26, and thel ller 'I6 is positioned between the iiange 38 and the lug 24. For width G each securing member I4 may be inserted through slot 56 and notch 66, and for width H each securing member I4 may be inserted through slot 56 and the diagonally arranged notch 64.

It may be noted that the abutment between thecentral load bearing portion 42 and the arcuate wall 22 substantially relieves the pivot pin 34 from shearing stresses.

It is thus apparent that I have designed a reversible and adjustable bracket which may be used 'for mounting fth wheels on tractor truck frames'varying in width from distances A to H or 33 inches to lli) inches. The practicability of such a bracket is readily apparent.

it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments oi the device shown w ich are merely by way oi illustration and not limitation as various other forms of the device will, ci course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing irc-m the spirit or" the invention or the sco-pe of the cls.

claim:

l. in tractor and trailer vehicles, coupling means including a ith wheel member and a bracket ailording pivotal support or said ineinber, said support comprising a pivot member, spaced lugs on opposite sides of said fifth wheel member, and load bearing means on said brackets adapted to be selectively arranged between said spaced lugs and having abutment with said fifth wheel member, said brackets including end portions with sets of spaced slots and notches formed and arranged for cooperation with said load bearing means whereby said ith wheel member may be supported on tractor truck irames of varying widths.

Z. in a tractor and trailer combination, a fifth wheel member having on opposite sides thereof spaced depending lugs, and reversible braclsets each comprising a base having sets or transversely aligned securing means in opposite ends thereoi and upstanding means abutting said member and iornied and arranged to be selectively positioned between and secured to said lugs whereby said securing means may be adjustably positioned with respect to Venlcle frames oi' varying widths.

in a iiith wheel mounting, a filth wheel member, spaced depending lugs on opposite sides tnei'eoi, and adJustable bracliets adapted to support said member on vehicle irames oi varying widths, eacli oracset comprising widened enu poi-tions having spaced means accommodating securing members and a load bearing member onset from the longitudinal center line thereof and adapted to be selectively positioned between said lugs whereby said means may be adjustably positioned with respect to said frames.

Ll. Reversible supporting means for connecting a iiitn wheel member to a supporting frame cornprising a ilat plate having end portions each comprising sets ol transversely aligned means oii'set laterally with respect to each other for the accommodation of associated securing inembers, and a load bearing member otset with respect to the longitudinal axis of said plate and formed and arranged or reversible engagement with said filth wheel member whereby said aligned means may be adjustably positioned.

5. A reversible supporting bracliet for a coupling member comprising a base having an arcuate load bearing portion intermediate its ends and end portions with spaced means accommodating associated securing members in various combinations, said bearingportion and said spaced means being onset from the longitudinal center line ci said bracket, and said bearing portion being formed and arranged for reversible engagement with said coupling member whereby said spaced means may be adjustably positioned with respect to associated frame members of Varying widths.

6. In a vehicle, a coupling member and means ior supporting said member on associated vehicle frames of varying widths, said means comprising a reversible bracket having load bearing CTI means oliset from the longitudinal center line thereof and formed and arranged for reversible engagement with said coupling member, and sets oi diagonally spaced means on each end of said bracket adapted to cooperate with said load bearing means whereby said coupling member may be adjustably secured to sai frames.

7. Adjustable supporting means for a coupling member comprising a base vhaving end portions comprising sets of diagonally spaced means adapted to receive associated members for seoui'- ing said supporting means to vehicle frames oi different widths, said base having load bearing means intermediate its ends and formed and arranged to be selectively engaged with said coupling member whereby said spaced means may be adjustabiy positioned with respect to said frames.

8. An adjustable supporting bracket for a fifth wheel member comprising a base having means laterally oiset with respect to the longitudinal center line of said bracket for accommodation of truck frames of varying widths, one of said means including spaced sets of slots and notches at opposite ends o1' said base and the other oi said means including a bearing portion adapted to be selectively arranged Ior connection to said lth wiieel member whereby said sets or slots and notches may be adjustably positioned with respect to vehicle iraines oi dinerent Widths.

.9. A supporting braclset roix a coupling meinber comprising a base having upstanding means laterally oii'set with respect to the longitudinal center line or said bracset and adapted to be adiustaoly positioned with respect to said member, and widened end portions having corresponding sets o1 transversely aligned means adapted to cooperate Wltn said upstandlllg means Wllereoy said coupling member may be adiustaoiy secured to vehicle llames ci diriel'elit widths.

lo. A supporting braciret lor a coupling member comprising a base having upstandiiig means laterally onset with respect to the longitudinal center line o1 said biaciiet and adapted to be adjustably secured to said member and widened end portions having corresponding diagonally spaced Sets or transversely aligned slots and notches formed and arranged lor cooperation with said upstanding means whereby said coupling meinber may be secured to vehicle I'rames oi' dilerent widths.

11. 1n a vehicle, a coupling member and means for supporting said member on associated vehicle frames of varying widths, said means comprising a reversible braclet having spaced sets oi slots and notches at opposite ends thereof, and a bearing portion adapted to be reversibly positioned for connection to said member whereby said sets of slots and notches may be adjustably positioned with respect to said frames.

l2.`In tractor and trailer vehicles, coupling means including a ilfth wheel member and a bracket aliording a pivotal support ior said ineinber on tractor truck frames oi varying widths, said supports comprising spaced lugs on said member, spaced slots and notches at opposite ends of said bracket, and a bearing portion intermediate said ends and adapted to be adjustably positioned between and connected to the associated lugs whereby said sets of slots and notches may be adjustably positioned with respect to said frames.

EDMUND P. KENNE, 

